AppleInsider Staff
President Barack Obama on Wednesday said the Secret Service does not allow him to use Apple's iPhone for security reasons, explaining why the leader of the free world still carries around a BlackBerry from 2007.
The president's documented fondness of BlackBerry devices may be overdone, as he admitted to a group of White House visitors that the Canadian smartphone is the only device certified to be used in his post, reports AFP via Security Week.
"I'm not allowed for security reasons to have an iPhone," Obama said to at an event promoting his health care initiative. He added that his daughters, Sasha and Malia, are iPhone users who spend a lot of their time using their devices.
Before he assumed office in 2009, Obama was regarded as the most tech-savvy president in history. A large part of that description came from his adoption of mobile tech like the BlackBerry, which he fought to keep against the wishes of the Secret Service.
As highlighted in a Washington Post report from September, presidents quickly fall behind the times when it comes to the cutting-edge. With computer technology moving at a steady yet rapid pace, proven government security measures cannot be installed fast enough to allow for the same flexibility afforded the everyday consumer.
BlackBerry is known to have solid security and was the go-to device for the U.S. government before the rise of the iPhone, but with the proliferation of Apple's handset and those running Google's Android operating system, things have changed. Earlier this year, Apple's last-generation iOS 6 operating system was granted FIPS [Federal Information Processing Standard] 140-2 level 1 validation, allowing certain government agencies to adopt specialized devices running the software.
The low-level cryptographic certification gives Apple a foot in the door for government contracts, like Department of Defense employees, but still limits iPhone and iPad use to security clearance levels well below those assigned to the president.
While it is unlikely that President Obama will be able to use an iPhone during his remaining tenure, he has been seen carrying and using other Apple devices, including a third-generation iPad and a 15-inch MacBook Pro.
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Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
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Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
93 Comments
Mods please stand by to remove extremely stupid political comments. Edit: On second thoughts don't limit that to extremely ...
I am surprised that Apple doesn't have some cutting-edge R&D in place ready to work with and serve a US President's security needs. Especially given that we're six years into the product.
[quote]The president's documented fondness of BlackBerry devices may be overdone, as he admitted to a group of White House visitors that the Canadian smartphone maker is the only brand certified for use, reports AFP via Security Week. [/quote] Only brand certified for use? What does this mean? Zillions of phones are certified for use. Maybe he's also the only one who can get carnivora?
BlackBerry is known to have solid security and was the go-to device for the U.S. government before the rise of the iPhone, but with the proliferation of Apple's handset and those running Google's Android operating system, things have changed. Earlier this year, Apple's last-generation iOS 6 operating system was granted FIPS [Federal Information Processing Standard] 140-2 validation, allowing certain government agencies to adopt specialized devices running the software.
Does each version of iOS have to undergo its own FIPS 140-2 validation process? How long does the process take relative to the lifecycle of each iOS version?
I am surprised that Apple doesn't have some cutting-edge R&D in place ready to work with and serve a US President's security needs. Especially given that we’re six years into the product.
They probably do have such technology already. It’s the dinosaur known as the Federal Government that can’t adapt and progress as we have so plainly seen in recent weeks with their website prowess.
It’s also possible that Apple’s technology is too good and doesn’t allow the NSA to do its thing. What? You don’t think the NSA taps the President’s phone? I’d take that bet any time.